Arcing attachment for electric conductor clamps



June 12, 1928.

B. A. PLIMPTON ARCING ATTACHMENT FOR ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR CLAMPS Original Filed Oct 5 Patented June l2, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENTLEY A. PLIKPTON, OI LIMA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE=HAL1 TO THE POR- CELAIN INSULATOB CORPORATION, OF LIMA, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK, AND ONE-HALF TO LOCKE INSULATOR CORPORATION, OF BALITKORE, MARY LAND, A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND.

ARCING ATTACHMENT FOR ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR CLAMPS.

Original application iiled October 5, 1920, Serial No. 414,878. Divided and this application iiled July 8,

My invention relates to an arcing attachment for electric conductor clamps, this being a division of an application filed October 5, 1920, Serial No. 414,87 8.

5 The invention is particularly applicable to suspension clamps such as used for high tension conductors, and it has for its object to aflord supporting means for the arcing member of such a nature that the latter can readily be attached to the clamp.

A further purpose of the invention is to provide a form of arcing member that affords greater durability, and also provides effective protection for the conductor at all times.

These and other advantages will appear from the following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, the novel features being pointed out in the claims following the description.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation showing a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2, is a plan view, and Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken centrally.

The invention is illustrated as applied to a suspension clamp which includes clamping members A and B, held together by retaining means which may be of any suitable form, and constitutes no part of the invention of this application.

The lower clamping member B is provided with upstanding suspension portions D formed integral with and projectin upwardly from the opposite walls 0 the clamping member B, and adapted to be attached to a supporting insulator in the usual manner. The clamping device is pro- 0 vided with an arcing member which is attached independently of the retaining devices that hold the clamping members together, and preferably to an extension on one of the clamping members projecting away from the conductor. Thus, the arcing member is located in spaced relation to the clamping portions of the clamping member, and an air space is afforded between the central part of the arcing member and the so conductor, so that if the arcing member Serial No. 483,353.

burns away, its extremities will never be in close relationship to the conductor, or permit an arc to the conductor.

This is preferably accomplished by attaching the arcing member to one of the upstanding suspension portions D, the arcmg member includes a central offset portion E adapted to rest against the u standing portion D and to receive an attaching bolt. In order to prevent the arcing member from turnlng or movin with reference to the clamping device, ocking means are rovided, consisting of a lug or lip e w ich projects into an opening d of the upstandm portion D, and rests against the seat a orded by the adjacent edge of the port1on D. The lug 6, together with the attaching bolt, serves toretain the arcing member with complete rigidity.

The central portion E of the arcing member is ofiset whereby the main body of the arcing member and the ends thereof directly overlie the conductor, and in order to prevent the ends of the arcing member from burning away they are enlarged and prefer- "6 ably rounded, as indicated at F. By providmg a large body of metal at the ends, greater resistance is offered to the burning and melting action of a hot are, such as is frequently experienced in high tension currents, and the life of the arcing member is tremendously increased.

The particular construction herein shown and described may be modified without departing from the essential features of the invention, and it is to be understood that this application covers any changes coming within the intended scope of the improvement or of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A clamping device for electric conductors comprising a pair of clamping members adapted to receive a conducting wire therebetween, one of the clamping members including a pair of upstanding suspension portions, bolts connecting said clamping members and an arcing member attached to one of said suspension portions in spaced relation to the clamping portions of the clamping members.

2. A clamping device for electric conductors comprising a pair of clamping members adapted to receive a conducting wire therebetween, one of the clamping members including a pair of upstanding suspension portions, connecting means for said clamping members an arcing member attached to and removable from one of said suspension portions, independently of said connecting means and locking means acting to prevent the arcing member from turning on the suspension portion.

3. A clamping device for electric conductors comprising a pair of clamping members adapted to receive a conducting wire therebetween, one of the clamping members including a pair of upstanding suspension portions, an arcing member attached to one of said suspension portions, and a locking lug carried by the arcing member and cooperating with a seat on the suspension por- {)ion to prevent turning of the arcing mem- 4. A clamping device for electric conductors comprising a pair of clamping members adapted to receive a conducting wire therebetween, one of the clamping members including a pair of upstanding suspension portions, an arcing member attached to one of said suspension portions, said suspension portion having an opening adjacent to the arcing member, and a locking lug carried by the arcing member, the lug projecting into the opening and engaging the adjacent edge of the suspension portion to prevent turning of the arcing member.

5. A clamping device for electric conductors comprising a pair of clamping members adapted to receive a conducting wire therebetween, suspension portions carried by one of the clamping members, and an arcing member attached to one of the suspension portions.

6. A clamping device for electric conductors comprising a pair of clamping members adapted to receive a conducting wire therebetween, one of the clamping members including a pair of upstanding suspension portions, and an arcing member having an offset central portion which is attached to one of said suspension portions.

7. A clamping device for electric conductors comprising a pair of clamping members adapted to receive a conducting wire therebetween, one of the clamping members including a pair of upstanding suspension portions, anarcing member having an oilset central portion which is attached to one of said suspension portions, and locking means to prevent the arcing member from turning on said suspension portion.

8. A clamping device for electric conductors comprising a pair of clamping members adapted to receive a conductor therebetween, a pair of spaced retaining memo5 bers for securing said clamping members together, one of said clamping members being provided with suspension members projecting between said retaining members, an arcing member, and means for securing said arcing member to one of the suspension members in spaced relation to the retaining members.

9. A clamping device for conductors comprising upper and lower clamping members adapted to receive a conductor therebetween, securing elements for maintaining said clamping members in clamping relation upon the conductor, an upstanding suspension element rising from the lower c1amping member and carrying a pivot adapted for connection with clamp suspension means, an arcing member disposed against said suspension element, and means independent of said pivot and independent of said securing elements for securing the arcing member upon said upstandin suspension element, said arcing member being separable from the clamping device without disturbing the connection thereof with suspension means or the securing elements for mainta-inin the clamping members in clamping re ation upon the conductor.

10. A clamping device for conductors comprising upper and lower clamping members adapted to receive a conductor therebetween, securing elements for maintaining said clamping members in clamping relation upon the conductor, an upstanding suspension element rising from the lower clamping 100 member and carrying a pivot adapted for connection with clamp suspension means, an arcing member disposed against said suspension element, means for securing the arcing member to said suspension element, and 105 means carried by the arcing member and engaging within said suspension element for preventing rotation of the former with respect to the latter.

11. A clamping device for conductors 110 comprising upper and lower clamping members adapted to receive a conductor therebetween, securing elements for maintaining said clamping members in clamping relation upon the conductor, an upstandin sus- 11s pension element rising from the ower clamping member and carrying a pivot adapted for connection with clamp suspension means. an arcing member disposed against said suspension element, means for 120 securing the arcing member to the suspension element, and coacting angular portions on the arcing member and suspension element for preventing relative rotation.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto 125 signed my name.

BENTLEYA. PLIMPTON. 

